Miles Shinkwin vs Kirk Garvey ends in mixed decision

Miles Shinkwin outpointed by Kirk Garvey

It was heartbreak for Miles Shinkwin (15-5) as he conceded his English light-heavyweight championship on a mixed decision to challenger Kirk Garvey (12-2) on March 2 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.

The 30-year-old from Bushey won the vacant belt in December 2018 with a convincing win over old rival Joel McIntyre, which settled their trilogy 2-1 to Shinkwin. But in his first defence of the English crown to voluntary challenger Garvey, 29 from Clapham, a close points defeat now leaves Shinkwin strapless.

Miles commented on the performance post-fight, "Really tough fight, very close up until nine and 10 and in those two rounds, I done more than enough to keep my title. To boss championship rounds as a champion on your home show in a close fight, you would think that would give you the edge."

The new English light-heavyweight champion, Kirk Garvey, is now mandated to defend against Dec Spelman next.

On the undercard Dean Richardson (9-0); Jerome Campbell (5-0); Graham Tirrell (9-0); and Paul Greenidge (4-0) all continued their unbeaten runs. Debutant Ish O'Connor (1-0) got off the mark with a shutout points win over four rounds at welterweight.

On the same night in Peterborough, 24-year-old Commonwealth champ Jordan Gill (23-0, 7KOs) outclassed Mexican Emmanuel Dominguez (24-8-2) in three rounds to bag the WBA International featherweight title at the East of England Arena, live on Sky Sports.